The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Acting secretary general of BNP Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on Tuesday described the demand for resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda by some leaders belonging to his party's rival faction as very unfortunate, saying that it would only hinder the election process. "Some individuals demanded resignation of the CEC. It is very unfortunate and this demand will hinder the election process," he said while talking to reporters at his Banani residence, where he blamed his rival colleagues for playing a divisive role that brought "disaster" for the party.

Hafiz called for a meeting of the BNP Standing Committee to overcome the disaster facing the immediate-past ruling party in the changed political context in the interim period.

Reflecting on the controversial meeting of the Standing Committee on October 29, 2007, he hoped that this policymaking body would play a role to rid BNP of the crisis it is facing at the moment, now that its chief is detained in jail.

About the four members of the Standing Committees who don't recognize the meeting on the day he said that their going to court three months after the meeting has a motive.

The acting secretary general described the party constitution as undemocratic and said the way the party is run at the moment is not the right way.

"The way the party is run today is not the right way. BNP constitution is undemocratic," he categorically said, justifying their defiant move for party reforms suiting the demand of the time.

Hafiz viewed that the party is heading for disaster due to absence of reform of the party. "We never closely looked into the BNP constitution. Therefore, there has not been any democratic culture in the party which is why time and again party faces disaster prior to election."

He lamented that while there should be a Standing Committee meeting once a year, it was not held year after year.

Providing an explanation of vesting the responsibility of the party in Saifur Rahman, Hafiz said that since the party chairperson is in prison, Saifur was vested with the responsibility since he is the senior-most in the BNP hierarchy after Khaleda. In an oblique reference to role of some young pro-Delwar leaders, he said the junior leaders should not take on the role to lead the party rather senior leaders should be given the opportunity to do so. About the unity of the party, Hafiz said, "We want unity of the party. Saifur has invited Delwar to sit across the table for discussion. But, Delwar doesn't want to sit. We think it's unfortunate for us that they don't sit together." About chairperson's adviser Hannan Shah's letter through messenger to Saifur, he said Shah could have a cup of tea with Saifur instead of sending a messenger.

He urged his rival faction to sit together, shirking issuance of statements, to do good to the party and country at large.